Are they not still done on the basis of points average per qualifying tournament? (I know the play-offs are done by world ranking alright)Originally Posted by cfdh_edmundo
Anyways, there's 18 months to go and lots of points to be earned in qualifying games, which would quickly drown out a few friendly defeats.
Slipping to fourth seed is an obvious concern of course.
the seedingfor the European qualification groups for the 2014 World Cup was made on basis of FIFA rankings as at 2011
http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tour..._europe_en.pdf
I don't think it's been set in stone yet as to how they will set it, but it for the 2014 qualification it seems they used the July 2011 World Ranking:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_FI...(UEFA)#Seeding
Based on that it might be our World Ranking as at this time next year which is used. The draw seems to take place on the 25th July in Leningrad (I think they brought forward the draw for WC2014 and did a big draw for all confederations on the same day in Rio, which meant UEFA teams had rankings taken before the full Euro 2012 qualification was complete, which seemed to benefit Norway due to them playing their difficult Euro 2012 qualifiers at the end of the calender and so these were not on their seedings).
If this is the case we are in a spot of bother as 71 in the World Rankings would put us in pot 5 (if we project this back onto the WC2014 seedings, we would be below Armenia and above Finland). I dont think we will end up in pot 5 (our ranking should pick up slightly and also there are more non-UEFA teams padding out the upper rankings now) but pot 4 seems fairly likely. We have the following games between now and then to improve:
(h) *Oman
(a) *Georgia
(h) *Gibraltar
(a) *Germany
(a) *Scotland
(h) *Poland
__________________ Will Count to WC2018 ranking
(h) *England
(h) *Scotland
___________________ Might count
(a) *Gibraltar
(h) *Georgia
(h) *Germany
(a) *Poland
___________________ Won't Count for WC2018
Should we make 3rd place for 2016 qualification (and assuming we arent the "best" 3rd place) then all of those games upto and including Poland away will affect our ranking prior to the draw for those playoffs.
That's all fair enough so; thanks.
To be honest it's a pain we couldnt swap the home and aways of Germany. I don't see us winning in the Ruhr or if im honest even getting a point (even if the ghost of Ernst Happel was in charge of us), but there is a chance we could get a point at home to Germany if we were lucky which could have given us a boost in terms of ranking (to say nothing of morale) ahead of the WC2018 draw.
My scientific analysis of the World Cup campaign has yielded compelling evidence that we have a better chance of getting a result against the Germans in Germany than in Ireland.
Interesting words from O'Neill here
http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/inter...2016-campaign/
My interpretation is that he wanted to look at players even if it's to show they're not good enough. Some showed just that.
He says some spots are still up for grabs. I'd say that's left back, which may necessitate a change to centre back, one central midfield spot, one wide spot and the centre forward spot. Maybe keeper too.
He says the squad options aren't huge, but one or two changes are possible. I think there's more than that. McCarthy is certain to return. Other additions from the summer tour could (should) be Andy Reid, Stephen Nobhead, SSL, McGoldrick, O'Brien, Gibson, Brady, Clark, Stokes and maybe Given as a wild card? Realistically, all of these bar Given would be a shoo in if fit, notwithstanding the Stephen Ireland situation. Maybe McShane over Pearce.
Who's at risk of those who turned up in May/June? I'd say Kelly, Ward, Pearse, Keogh, Cox, Sammon and Green.
If O'Neill only decides to play one up front he may not choose 5 forwards. Long and Doyle should be certainties. That makes two from Walters, Stokes and Keane. That'd be an interesting call!
I think Quinn might keep his place.
I think O'Neill likes Ward regardless of the Portugal showing but let's see.
Last edited by Stuttgart88; 12/06/2014 at 5:13 PM.
And every debutant gets a standing ovation? No but I think McGeady got a similar one. Spot the link? End of..
Stutts, not every one is denying how crap Tuesday's performance was. One contributor said it was "brilliant" in parts. The only point I am making is because of the hostility generated in many sections towards Trap (rightly or wrongly), the current management is being given a lot of leeway. Stan for example would have been laughed out of the place if he had 4 centre forwards on at the end of a game. However, what's done is done and as we all agree all that really matters (excluding rating points and the historical record) is how we get on in the competitive games.
It will be fascinating to see how O'Neill sets up the team for the away game in Georgia. 4-4-2 worked away from home under he who dare not be mentioned (but not at home). Interesting times.
Forget about the performance or entertainment. It's only the result that matters.
I think you're seeing what you want to see with respect to left-back. Like you, I think O'Neill just likes Ward. He's an average enough defender but he can get up and down all day which gives us balance as Coleman does the same on the opposite flank.
As for the named players being at risk - at risk of what? Apart from Ward, I wouldn't have thought any of them were guaranteed squad members to begin with, so losing out wouldn't necessarily be a huge chance from normal.
Clinton Morrison got one too but it was apropos of nothing other than he was a talented player doing well and the fans wanted to see him on the pitch. There was some controversy when he was left out of the initial squad and elation when got a chance to come on and make his case for inclusion in the Euro squad a few days later. It was as much relief he was getting a run-out as anything.
I suppose my point related to O'Neill's comment that he can't just magic up players to improve a squad that lacks depth. My point is that those I mentioned should all be expected to make way for the others I selected, and in my opinion the squad would actually be materially enhanced. I'd prefer O'Neill to have highlighted how many decent players were missing rather than playing the an beal bocht card.
Great article and interview with Eoin Hand on that tour here, including the revelation that we actually beat Trinidad!
http://www.thescore.ie/eoin-hand-ire...13921-Jun2014/
Anyway, Eoin is relaxed enough about the Portugal result.
I have to say I have great admiration for him.
The reaction to the Portugal result is way over the top. I saw some positives and some learnings. We'll be grand. We still have the players, team and managers to qualify for 2016. No need for the drama just yet ladies.
I like high energy football. A little bit rock and roll. Many finishes instead of waiting for the perfect one.
It was similar to the ovation McCarthy got when he came on as sub, such is the way with high profile 'declarees' and there's nothing embarrassing about it.
I didn't realise until today that we actually beat T+T.
But if we played with Andy Keogh in the away game, the chances are even better of getting a result.
Still due an important goal in Andy.
You're talking about the scorer of important goals, Keith "Andy" Andrews right?
DID YOU NOTICE A SIGN OUTSIDE MY HOUSE...?
I'd be seriously worried if our A team got a 5-1 spanking but the B team? Christ we had a back 5 made up of Championship players going up against one of the top sides in the world.
MO'N will now know who he can rely on from September & who isn't up for the battle. It has been a useful exercise. No pain no gain etc.
We're talking about the only Irishman to score against this German team.
Keith Fahey got an ovation at the RDS when he debuted.
It has nothing to do with whether you are a Nordie, Scot or Irish.
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